Author's Note: I'm new here, this is my first fic...so if you find any mistakes, give me some consideration. And don't hesitate to give any comments/suggestions, but say them in a nice way. Before I forget; PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Artemis Fowl characters, just Cyrenela so far... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
It's been a year since the mind wipe, Artemis Fowl still hasn't retrieved his memories, though he is trying desperate measures. Artemis paced around his study, trying to organize his thoughts, he can't recall something that's for sure and he's trying to. Butler and Juliet were having their usual walk around the grounds, so he was pretty alone in the house free to dive deep into his thoughts. He would've dived deeper if he didn't see the girl walk down the corridor.
A trespasser? He thought, how could Butler allow this? He exited the room to tell whoever it is to go out.
The girl stopped to look at a portrait of his ancestors.
"Excuse me?" Artemis asked.
She turned around and Artemis gasped at what he saw. Her eyes were the first thing he noticed, they weren't...normal, they displayed the color of dawn, meaning they showed many colors. Her hair laid loosely, colored aqua, at her shoulder. Her face is well defined, rose red lips, thin aqua eyebrows, and a fine shaped nose. She wore a dress, a blue one, which came down her ankles. She wore light blue sandals. She has a fair complexion, no freckles, pimples or whatsoever. In short she looked perfect, too perfect.
"Yes, Master Artemis?" the girl asked him, her voice was soft, like rose petals.
Artemis found himself gaping at her, "W-what?" he stuttered.
She sighed, "You will have questions, and I am sure. Call the Butlers and let's discuss this in your study." Artemis however was still quite unfocused.
The girl sighed once more, and then muttered something under her breath, and she disappeared as if she was never there.
Artemis blinked, now, that was weird...weird? What a very informal word!
What did she say again? Yes, they were to meet at the study. Though still with doubt in his mind he called the Butler through the speaker system wired around the house and grounds. Then, he walked himself to the study, his mind jumping to numerous conclusions of what's going on.
IN THE STUDY
When he entered the room, Butler and Juliet were already there standing obediently, waiting for his orders.
After a few moments of silence, Juliet decided to break it. "What did you call us for, Artemis? I was just about to-
"He called you for an important cause, Mistress Juliet, Master Butler...or should I say, Domovoi?" a sweet voice said from nowhere.
Juliet and Butler's bodyguard instincts kicked into action, shielding Artemis from view at any point from this possible surprise attack. A silhouette appeared; slowly it gained a more solid shape and eventually turned into the girl Artemis met before. She shook her hair gently, and then she transfixed her eyes at them.
Artemis brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes were different now, they were gold, or rather, all the shades of yellow...so were her clothes, they were the color of the sun. As soon as she revealed herself, Butler and his sister tensed. She walked towards them smoothly; her feet did not emit any sound on the wooden floor.
"I didn't come for violence, nor will it ever happen." The Butlers weren't quite reassured with her statement. Instead, they crowded around Artemis, glaring daggers at her.
"I could've killed him before," three shocked faces were the result of this. "But I don't want to."
She disappeared from sight, Butler glanced around the room quickly, thinking that she may have jumped or something, which was impossible really for she simply vanished in the air.
"B-butler!" Artemis cried. For some reason, he wasn't in the protective circle of the siblings, and the girl was holding him from behind. Artemis struggled at her grasp, she's just a girl, I can break free from this, he was wrong, and no matter how much he wriggled her grip was as tight as ever.
Butler and Juliet's horrified faces met the girl's eyes, which were now red. So was everything in the shade of blue and yellow before.
"Relax, Master Fowl, I'm just going to help you remember," she whispered in his ear. Artemis feared the worst, in his brain he saw moments of his past Ah, the flashbacks, the moment before death that you see all your good and bad deeds he thought. But, he didn't recognize nor remember all of them, many had this auburn haired girl in it, a centaur, and what seemed like miniature people.
I...remember...he then fell unconscious.
Butler lunged at her as his charge fell limp from her arms; he had to stop himself from falling straight down on the boy for the intruder disappeared once more.
His sister was right behind him when Artemis fell. As Butler was just about to check the boy's condition he heard a thump behind him, turning around he saw Juliet lying on the floor, with the girl just a few inches away from her.
Butler was outraged, first Artemis, the boy he was suppose to protect throughout his life, and then it was Juliet, the only family he had left. With a burst of energy, he took out his Sig Saucer and fired immediately, now, Butler's an incredible marksman, he would've been ashamed if he spared a chance to see where his bullets found a target, but at least he would be satisfied that one found its mark, straight into one of the arms of the girl. Butler expected her to crashed down on her knees and beg, instead, she walked towards him, not showing any knowledge of the fact that one of her body parts were considerably bleeding and wounded.
Her slim finger touched his forehead, and Butler joined his other comrades.
After Butler collapsed, the girl glanced at her shoulder, she had experience with pain before in her training, and actually, it's been a long time since she felt any of the sorts. This wasn't normal; she must find the others, fast.
She looked around the study, no, she exited the room and headed for the lab, ah, here we go, she picked a bandage and messily applied it on her arm, it was quite difficult considering you only have one hand to use. The pain is very intense; her eyes did not approve to shed tears though.
She returned to the study, Artemis and his bodyguards were still in the same position where she left them.
She couldn't just leave them lying on the floor, she waved her hand. As if invisible arms were carrying them, they floated to a couch and sofas on the room.
Now all she had to do was wait.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Artemis opened his eyes slowly; his brain recounted the previous events. He frowned he couldn't make head nor tails of this particular event, and he wasn't used to that. He found himself slumped on a chair, I surely wasn't here before, he thought.
He looked around, Butler and Juliet were laid n the sofas, and the girl was looking out the window, now colored light blue. He took this moment to check his friend's condition; Butler and Juliet were fine as far as he could see no physical damage and such. He looked at the girl's direction; she was still looking out of the window, her icy blue eyes twinkled at the light from outside.
He crept silently, behind her, she's off guard, surely I'll be able to fight her, and I've definitely improved since my training sessions with Butler...he thought.
He encircled his right arm around her neck in a flash, while with his left hand he held firm grip on her hands.
She did not react to this, however...even though Artemis was pinning her to the wall, crushing her injured arm on the process. "What I said before, I will say again, I am not here for violence nor will it ever happen."
Artemis didn't heed her, "Whatever you came for, you will fail to get it," he hissed.
"Is that still your motive? After I returned your lost memories of the people, I assumed you would treat me differently," she said softly.
He forgot, most unlike him, then he seemed to come back to his senses...after seeing her bloody arm that is. "You're hurt?" he blurted out.
"As you can plainly see, yes." Artemis gently turned her around and bent over to examine the wound, "The Sig Saucer, from Butler?"
"Ah. Yes, Master Domovoi apparently, he started to have a sort of rampage after you lose consciousness. Started firing bullets everywhere," she replied carelessly.
"Yes, pardon me, but shouldn't you be feeling intense amounts of pain?" Artemis wondered.
"If you were a normal human being, yes. But, I am not normal as you saw earlier."
Normal? What does she mean? Artemis asked in his mind, well that was pretty obvious, disappearing and appearing at will is far from normal. He sighed, from every direction he viewed this situation there was only one solution, "Let's hear your explanation of...everything."
"Yes, let's," and before Artemis could move an inch, she evaporated into a wisp of smoke. He turned around and saw her touching his sleeping friends, as they slowly awoke.
Butler sprang into action, immediately heading to Artemis, "Who is she? Why'd she return our memories?" he whispered at his employer's ear.
"I don't know, Butler. But I am quite sure that she has not come to do us any harm," he said.
The girl helped Juliet slowly rise to her feet, Butler glared at her threatingly, how does she dare to hold his sister after what she did? She didn't seem to notice, though for she continued what she was doing.
Juliet stared at her groggily, her eyes crossed. "H-hey, aren't you suppose to have killed us on our sleep or something?"
Artemis and Butler stared at her. "Hey, don't blame me, that's how it goes on all the movies I watched," she shrugged.
"This is not a movie, Mistress, and even if it was, I wouldn't dream of killing anybody when they aren't deserving." The girl said quietly.
"All very well and good, now," Artemis faced this mysterious entity. "We should get started." He then sat himself on one of the leather couches, Butler stood behind him and Juliet by her brother's side.
She sat opposite of Artemis. "Very well, let m compose myself, before we begin." She closed her eyes. Artemis was about to tell her to stop her 'composing and get straight to the point' when the color of light blue gradually changed into shades of yellow, and soon, she was shining like the sun once more.
Artemis spared a glance at his companions and saw them both staring at her, not actually believing of what they're seeing, though Juliet's look seemed more of awe than disbelief.
She opened her now golden eyes, waiting for them to start.
"Let's start with your name," Artemis suggested.
"I am Ana Gram Of 'Fectnoperi," she answered immediately.
"From what country?"
"London"
"Age?"
"Fourteen...in your terms."
Artemis arched a brow, "What do you actually mean?"
"It means that I may look fourteen, and I am considered as one, though I am not."
"Then how old, are you, really?" Juliet butted in.
She didn't answer for a moment, "Considering your life time...14 centuries."
This caused Juliet to stare at her, eyes large as saucers. Butler's mouth was a gaping hole, and Artemis face had a look that was very unusual for him...
Realization dawned, "You're not human?" Juliet stuttered.
She sighed, "I am a human, though with major differences."
"Such as?" Artemis inquired.
"I think you already witnessed an example."
"Ah, yes. Those color changes, may I ask why?"
"You, of course know the meanings of these words; Love, Faith, Hope, Patience, Understanding, Humility, Light, Wisdom, Knowledge, Determination, Unity, Life, Beauty, Kindness, Forgiveness, Heart, Courage, Loyalty, Innocence, Spirit, Magic, Calm, Elegance and Service." The three absently nodded, things weren't really making sense so far.
"When my hair, eyes and clothes color change, I am merely altering the trait and talent I prefer. Light blue is Calm, Love is Magenta red, Faith is Gray, Hope is red, Patience is violet, Understanding is a gentle auburn, Humility is Pink, Light is light, Wisdom is blue violet. Knowledge is gold, Determination is Yellow, Unity is orange, Life is green, Beauty is lavender, Kindness is Blue, Forgiveness is Aqua, Heart is Dawn, Courage is brown, Loyalty is yellow green, Forgiveness is olive green, Innocence is White, Spirit is a ghostly white, Magic is silver, Elegance is Black, and Service is sepia."
Artemis remembered every single detail, the might come in handy later.
"What if, none?"
She looked at him squarely, "Then, it is my true appearance...and..."
"What?" Butler demanded.
"Something else," she said mysteriously.
"What- Juliet started.
"Perfect." Artemis simply said.
"Eh?" Butler and his younger sibling said in unison.
"She is Perfect, or rather, Perfection."
"Are you sure you're alright Artemis? I mean, you're not falling for her? Right?"
This made Artemis glare at Juliet for the comment. "No," he said firmly. "Look at her name," he said as he took a pen and paper writing the word; Ana Gram Of 'Fectnoperi. Butler and Juliet leaned forward, while Ana held an amused expression as she observed the mastermind.
"Ana Gram, is actually anagram, formed when jumbling the letters of any word or name," Ana had a smile on her lips.
"Anagram of..." he scribbled on the paper. "Perfection." He finished.
They stared at her, "You're Perfect?"
"Yes," she said, smiling an innocent smile.
"But, like, nobody's perfect..." Juliet stammered.
"Ah, but I am no nobody," she replied. "My real name is Cyrenela Arlene Perfecto'," she said sweetly, a smile on her face.
Her yellowy presence changed into sepia, represents service, Artemis reminded himself. "At your humble service," she added calmly.
Artemis finally returned to his usual composed state, "Why are you here?"
For the first time since their meeting he recognized grief in her bright eyes, "I need your help."
Artemis raised an eyebrow, "Why? If you're Perfect, can't you solve about any of your problems?"
She nodded, "Yes, but..." Artemis waited for her answer patiently.
"It's fading," she sighed.
"You're saying?" Artemis asked, unable to understand.
"I'm loosing my Perfection," she said flatly.
Artemis considered this for a moment then he said, "This problem of yours does not concern me in any way."
She laughed mirthlessly, "It concerns you whether you like it or not, if it doesn't then I should never have come to you."
"How does your fate concern me?"
"My fate concerns everyone, but...for now it concerns you greatly," she smiled bitterly.
"How, actually?" Artemis asked. "Let me start at the very beginning," she looked at Artemis who nodded.
"During the time of Eden, Adam and Eve knew nothing of Good and Evil, until they ate from the Tree of Knowledge that is. That started sin...or evil. You would've thought that, since then, there is no more as you would have called, perfection, for evil has sprouted because of man. But, the Lord had other plans; he gave life to another being, a child which he took in his personal care."
"I personally thought that the stories in the Bible, concerning the creation, were mere literature. Seeing that man came to be because of evolution from simpler life forms," Artemis mused, not believing a word she had said.
"Ah, but, Master Fowl. In every story there is truth, and..." she raised her own brow, "Do you not think that God is real?"
"Is there proof?"Artemis countered testily.
"What more proof do you need? We wouldn't exist if it weren't for Him." Artemis snorted; the girl seemed to be very religious.
"Please, continue your story."
"He kept the child with Him as he looked over his people, sharing the information he knew, giving it knowledge of everything. He did not send the child to a family, for He knew that doing so will cause His teachings to it to be a waste. The Good Lord taught it to Love, to be Faithful, to never loose Hope, to have Patience, to be Understanding, to be Humble, to give Light, to practice Wisdom, to share Knowledge, to never loose Determination, to practice Unity, to respect Life, to admire Beauty, to be Kind, to be Forgiving, to have a warm Heart, to be Courageous, to be Loyal, to remain Innocent, to have Spirit, to use Magic, to be always Calm, to be of Service, and to practice Elegance." She paused for breath.
"Why?" Butler found himself asking.
"He saw what lay ahead, he saw it was not good, he wanted to change that future," Cyrenela said grimly.
"How bad is it?"
"I don't need to answer that," she said flatly. "Very well, the child stayed with him, watching the people below, when, at last evil began to spread. In fact it was more abundant than good; He needed someone to guide His people, to bring them back on the right path."
"The child?" Juliet had her hands on her jaw, as if listening to an amazing bedtime story.
"He thought of that, yes, but the time wasn't quite right. So he sought of those who still kept in line. They did well, but as human life goes, they die eventually. So he will choose another one. But the same thing will happen, humans just don't live forever. Finally at the dawn of the 7th century he made a choice to finally send the child."
"So even the Lord makes mistakes, He could've sent it earlier, seeing the results would be better," Artemis commented coldly.
"He doesn't make mistakes, he's perfect. It only happens that the time has been right," she snapped. Artemis scowled at her.
Ignoring Artemis' behavior, she continued, "He put the child in the care of a religious couple, since that would be the best choice if he wanted it to be unmarked of sin. Like a normal person she grew, but unlike a normal person, she is immortal, and she can do...things that a normal person can't do. The couple considered themselves blessed of having such a special child who did not, even once gave them grief. But, of course, they themselves have their lives limited; therefore, they left their only child in the care of a distant relative, which happens to be a crime lord. Auster' se Fole'e."
"Wait a minute, Auster' se Fole'e is my ancestor," Artemis said, surprised by this twist.
Cyrenela smiled at him warmly, "I know, let me continue. Everything seemed fine, Auster' kept his criminal activities secret. Until he told her that is, he wanted to keep his descendants rich, as he was, but he wanted them to gain their riches to less than legal procedures. This is how the Fowl Empire started; every descendant on the line is bound to his pledge. But she disagreed, she was good, not bad, and joining this is disgusting to her. Auster' grimly turned to his own child; though he would have preferred his adopted one over him he had no choice. His son gladly took over his father's throne, once, he asked for a favor from his adopted sister, which is Knowledge. She couldn't refuse, that's the source of your amazing mind, Master Artemis," she gave him a small smile.
Artemis sat, awespired by his own family's past.
"The Lord called her; He kept sending her to retrieve His people from darkness. So, she left her family behind. They kept this for some time, until the girl showed signs of sadness. He saw this and decided to give her company, which were Love, Faith, Hope etc., but they were more than mere company, he linked them to her fate. They were like her strength, her life...they helped her in her various mission,"
"You're her right? You're the child." Juliet questioned.
"Yes, I am." She replied. "What you're listening to now is my life story."
"Madam?" Butler said.
"Yes, Master Domovoi?"
"I was just you see the angels in heaven?" he asked awkwardly.
"Yes, but not anytime...you're wondering if I've seen your uncle, are you not?" she replied sweetly. Butler nodded.
"Yes, I've seen him, a very good man. He tells me that he expects you to exceed his expectations," Cyrenela assured.
"Oh," came Butler's reply.
"Continue with your story," Artemis suggested. "Things were good, until now...Satan has made counterparts of us," she sorrowfully said. "Cruelty, Chaos, Death, Torture...so many. He made them seek my friends and...do things with them, I'm not sure what exactly, but when I try to contact them they are there...but they don't respond. They hid them all, I need to save them for we're bound together, I become weaker and weaker every time they are mistreated, and because...they're my only true friends...the only ones who completely understand me, the only ones who bear no thought to use me for what I am capable of..."lines sadness were creased on her face, but it did not lessened her ethereal beauty.
Artemis was suddenly interested for once. "What are you exactly capable of doing?"
Cyrenela gave him a suspicious look before answering, "Well, is it safe to tell you? Could you be trusted?"
"Madam Perfecto, you should be very well aware that I am needed in this, and if I don't receive my share of information and needs, you won't get anything from me," he smirked evilly.
Cyrenela sighed. "I suppose this is what I could expect of you. After all you did to the LEP. Very well, let's see," she tapped her chin for a moment. "Let's just say; anything, as long as no one is to be harmed, or if a situation is dire."
"Could you prove this?" Artemis asked.
"Actually, yes. What do you have in mind?" she asked though she already knew what.
Artemis pretended to think about it, "How about...double my family's fortune?"
Butler and Juliet stared at him; the Fowl's fortune is already bloated for all they know. What else if you double it?
She sighed deeply, Artemis seemed never to change. "Access your account," she ordered.
Artemis went to one of his numerous computers, accessing the net he went to his account, so far it held 7 657 430 982 euros. And that was only his account.
"Before I bend to your wishes, have you ever helped a person just because of mere kindness?" she said quietly.
Artemis froze, come to think of it he's answer is no.
Cyrenela looked at him grimly. "You need not answer, I know."
Artemis glared at her, "Then why'd you ask?"
"You wouldn't understand," she simply said.
When Artemis turned back to face his computer it was doubled; from 7 657 430 982 euros it became 15 314 861 964. Artemis' jaw dropped something that rarely happened in any occasion.
He turned back at the innocent visitor to see she was smiling. "What-why-how?" he stammered.
Juliet and Butler who had never seen him tongue tied came closer to look at the screen, even though they don't usually mind their employer's account, they are quite completely sure that it was nothing like those big numbers on the screen, and seconds later, they themselves were jabbering like Artemis though in a less elegant manner.
Cyrenela gracefully held a hand up to signal silence, they complied. "The sources of my powers are from living beings, but they are measured and strengthened by that living being's morals are. If the ones I am to dedicate my capabilities are angelic, my powers are at their strongest, if they aren't they're at their weakest. You see, it all depends on who I am to help."
"Err..." Juliet started; she gave a worried glance at Artemis. "Don't be offended or anything, Artemis," Artemis raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Well, Artemis isn't quite angelic, you know. So...how'd you do it?"
Cyrenela smiled warmly at our young criminal mastermind. "You'd be quite surprised of his morals."
Artemis shifted uneasily on his seat, and then cleared his throat before either Juliet or Butler's stare could yield results. The two looked away immediately.
"Why would you need my assistance? You're fairly doing well on your own."Artemis asked.
She sighed. "You and your family are my last relatives...without my companions turning to you is the best I could think of-
"Wait a minute," Juliet said suddenly. "What do you mean 'relatives'?"
"You might have wondered why the Fowls are quite gifted, especially Artemis. When I was born through my mother and father, God gave them and all their relatives a gift of some sort. It was to make you prosper, but when my brother asked for a favor, your knowledge exceeded average levels. I am forever bound to you by blood."
"That's all?"
She shook her head gently. "You're in the prophecies and...you're my only hope."
There was an uneasy silence. "What prophecies?"
She looked out the window, the sun was setting. "What I have seen...when I lived with your ancestor."
Artemis tried to calm himself, the buzzing in his head was very disturbing, as if the information it's receiving cannot be processed well.
"What would I get from all this?"
She looked at him with pleading eyes. "What you're about to take part in is immeasurable in value...so, anything that comes in your mind."
Artemis didn't think about it twice, "I want you, to serve me."
The two Butlers gaped at the two youths; they expected the girl to attempt an act of violence for Artemis' price. She did the exact opposite. "It seems my future can't be changed, fine."
"You mean you've seen your future?" Juliet gaped at her. "Yes, seen and read. I remember it like yesterday...I was just about to be sent down to earth from the heavens, there were a few prophets there chanting;
"The greatest threat of thy people and their magic
Will be needed for the future to continue
For the one living in fire has done a trick
That Perfection alone cannot meet
Tis human is Fowl
Not a bird, but a human with an eternal frown
But when given a chance thy can change
To a better person none can replace
A price will be paid for the plea of help
Something that is not always shared
Perfection itself is at stake
When tis human asks for the pay"
She enunciated this clearly, her voice were like bells, ringing for man to attend mass.
Butler and Juliet weren't quite good at riddles and prophecies. But of course, Artemis is.
"I am the greatest threat of the People, the one living in fire is Satan," he faced Cyrenela. "You are referred to as Perfection. Fowl is very obvious, and so is that eternal frown...what I don't quite understand is the line; "But when given a chance thy can change To a better person none can replace"
"It's quite obvious too; it says you'll change for the better." Cyrenela said.
Artemis decided not to comment. "The price to be paid for the plea of help from me is something that is no always shared...Perfection is at stake..." he turned to her. "I understand about the pay, but what does 'Perfection is at stake mean?"
She gazed at him with deep cool eyes, and with a hint of sadness she said, "I may or may not make it out alive. Even things that are perfect can die, if something kills them that is."
"Have you seen who?"
"Yes, but there is nothing I can do, there is nothing anyone can do. When I call upon the vision it cuts off, we'll only know when the time comes."
Artemis stood up and walked towards the door. "You may stay here while we plan our move, I might even protrude certain advantages."
When Artemis was out of sight, Butler showed signs of concern.
"Madam?"
"Hmm?"
Butler looked at her messy bandaged arm. "Would you like me to clean that?"
She smiled at him serenely. "Yes, very much. Thank you."
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Author;s Note:
As I said before I'm new, but I know flames are bad...please critisise me in a nice way! And give me tips/suggestions/comments, that way, I'll be able to improve my weak spots! Thankyou!